The procurement function’s transition from a tactical support role to an important strategic asset ensuring organisational success will come under the spotlight, when the 5th edition of Procurement Middle East opens on November 9 in Bahrain. 

 

The two-day Procurement Middle East 2021 is supported by the Bahrain Tender Board, and held under the patronage of Shaikh Nayef Bin Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Bahrain Tender Board.

 

The conference was originally scheduled to run in September, however the move to November follows extensive consultation with key stakeholders, government partners, and professionals from the procurement and supply chain industries, said a statement. 

 

It will also be held as a hybrid event this year, running under the overarching theme: From Tactics to Strategy: Building Resilient, Efficient, and Sustainable Procurement 4.0.

 

Dr Mohammed Ali Bahzad, Secretary General, Bahrain Tender Board, said:  “Having been working closely with our advisory board and event partner over the past year to deliver a brand new hybrid format that combines the best of both worlds, we genuinely think that moving Procurement Middle East 2021 to November will provide us additional opportunity to ensure that our stakeholders receive maximum benefits and exposure from Procurement 4.0.”

 

More than 500 international delegates are expected to attend in-person and virtually, while 25-plus expert speakers will share their insights into how procurement leaders can increase their departments’ influence within organisations, offering a holistic orientation of business value. 

 

As the only government endorsed procurement event in the region, Procurement Middle East will also bring together the most influential leaders in the procurement and supply chain sector to discuss impending issues and solutions, and explore innovative avenues for the development of the procurement sector.

 

Delegates this year can also look forward to the launch of the Bahrain Tender Board’s new National Procurement System, where the government body will present an overview of its new strategy, innovations, and policies to support procurement in Bahrain with all government authorities. 

 

In addition to multiple engaging presentation sessions, panel discussions and technology spotlight sessions and a co-located exhibition showcasing the latest innovations in the procurement transformation ecosystem, Procurement Middle East will also return with the 3rd edition of its awards programme celebrating the latest achievements and progress made in the sector. 

 

The Procurement Middle East Awards 2021 comprise 12 categories, including the Most Innovative Technology Project, the Budding Talent Award, Procurement Hero Award and the Best Procurement Project.

 

Leading international suppliers of supply chain and procurement solutions will also present their latest solutions, including GEP Worldwide, a provider of strategy, software, and managed services solutions, and Lead Sponsor for Procurement Middle East. 

 

Abdel Halim, Head of Middle East and Africa at GEP Worldwide, said: “The last 18 months have accelerated digital transformation and brought forward years’ worth of technological capabilities. Most companies and individuals who rose above the challenges of the last year and a half and delivered during these uncertain times did so thanks to technology. I am excited to talk about these next-gen technologies and how next-gen is NOW-GEN, at Procurement Middle East 2021.”

 

Sara Omer, Account Director for the Middle East and Africa at Ivalua, the show’s Platinum Sponsor, added: “I am looking forward to taking part in the Procurement Middle East conference this year. 

 

“The key theme of transforming procurement through inventory management optimization and linking the strategic upstream sourcing to tactical downstream inventory control, has always been a paradigm and a pivotal aspect of measuring successful procurement operations. It promises to be a very impactful event that will enrich the knowledge of all attending in how to improve synergy between procurement and inventory management.” - TradeArabia News Service